The Role of HIV/AIDS Prevention Campaigns on HIV Related Behavioural Changes in Ibadan, Nigeria

This study examined the impact of sources of AIDS education on HIV-related behavioural changes, and its implications for HIV prevention and service delivery in Nigeria. We analysed cross-sectional data obtained from a structured face-to-face interview with 1,373 respondents aged 15-50, who have ever had sex in Ibadan, Nigeria. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, its route of transmission and prevention strategies was high.  About 20 % of the respondents were exposed to the AIDS prevention campaigns. A majority reported sexual behavioral changes, which included restriction of sex partners, use of condoms, sexual abstinence and avoidance of casual sex. Thirty-nine percent took some steps to reduce risk of infection by avoiding transfusion with unscreened blood and testing for HIV status.  Using multiple logistic regressions, the factors affecting the reported changes were identified. The application of health belief model shows that the model cannot wholly explain the changes in behavior. The role of female powerlessness in safer sex decision-making is noted. Despite the limitations of the study, the need for a sustained AIDS prevention campaign is stressed. The implications of the study for AIDS programs and research are highlighted

Trends in Female Circumcision Between 1933 And 2003 in Osun And Ogun States, Nigeria: A Cohort Analysis

The international movement against female circumcision gained momentum in the past two decades. Although recent studies report decline in the practice none has studied the cohort effect or provided plausible explanation for such decline. Changes in female circumcision occurring in two southwestern States of Nigeria between 1933 and 2003 were tracked in a cross-sectional survey using cohort analysis. 1174 female live births to 413 women were included in the analysis. 52.4% of all females were circumcised. The prevalence dropped from 64.9% during the period 1933-60 to 25.7% for the period 2000–2003. For first order births, the corresponding rates were 58.8% and 25.0%. The decline for first-born females comes a decade before other birth orders. Age and education of mother are two main factors of the decline. Global consensus or legal enforcement plays secondary roles. Understanding how modernization affects the decline in female circumcision should receive greater attention. . African Journal of Reproductive Health Vol. 10 (2) 2006: pp. 48-5

Avaliação da continuidade de uso do preservativo feminino em usuárias do Sistema Único de Saúde em unidades da região metropolitana de São Paulo, Brasil Evaluation of continuity of use of female condoms among users of the Brazilian National Health System (SUS): longitudinal analysis in units in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, Brazil

O perfil da epidemia da Aids vem exigindo alternativas que, além de prevenir a entrada do HIV, facilitem a negociação de uso com o parceiro e possibilitem dupla proteção - contra as infecções transmitidas sexualmente, inclusive a Aids, e contra a gravidez não desejada - como o preservativo feminino. O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar se a alta aceitabilidade inicial do preservativo feminino, descrita em outros estudos, é mantida na rotina de atendimento às diferentes populações vulneráveis. Foram monitorados durante 12 meses 16 serviços do Sistema Único de Saúde da Grande São Paulo (7 serviços especializados em atendimento às doenças sexualmente transmissíveis, 6 unidades básicas de saúde e 3 projetos comunitários). Foram incluídas no estudo 2.469 mulheres, das quais 713 em serviços de atenção especializada às DST/Aids, 1.417 em unidades básicas e 339 em projetos comunitários. A análise da continuidade de uso foi realizada por tábua de sobrevida Kaplan-Meier, teste log-rank e modelo de regressão de Cox, com intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC=95%). Observou-se que, ao final do seguimento, estavam em uso contínuo do preservativo feminino 14,4% das mulheres (355). O tempo médio de uso foi de 3,55 meses (IC 95%: 3,37- 3,73). Os resultados evidenciaram que o tipo de serviço de dispensação do insumo e a frequência mensal de relações sexuais interferiram na continuidade de uso de forma estatisticamente significante. O número de mulheres que iniciaram o uso do preservativo feminino nos diferentes tipos de serviços mostrou que há uma demanda para alternativas de prevenção, e que é fundamental a criação de espaços onde elas possam ter acesso adequado a orientações e aos insumos.<br>The new profile of the AIDS epidemic necessarily includes the implementation of alternatives which go beyond HIV prevention, meaning sexual partner negotiation and double protection: against STD (including AIDS) and unplanned pregnancy - the female condom (FC) as a possible alternative. The objective of this study was to assess continuity of the high initial acceptability of FC described in different studies. Vulnerable groups were monitored for 12 months: 16 public services of the São Paulo metropolitan area (7 specialized in STD/AIDS; 6 primary care units and 3 community projects). 2,469 women were enrolled, 713 from STD/AIDS services, 1,417 from primary care units and 339 from community projects. Kaplan-Meier, log-rank and the Cox regression model were used to analyze survival curves, CI=95%. At the end of follow-up, 355 (14.4%) women were using female condom continuously. The mean period of use of all participants was 3.55 months (CI 95%: 3.37- 3.73). Results showed type of service providing the device and frequency of sexual intercourse as factors statistically significant related to continuity of use. The high number of women accepting the use of female condom in different services showed an important demand for the device, the need to provide appropriate access to orientation and of making female condom continuously available